Talking Points....
Connect Fellowship 9/9/2025
This week’s group discussion will focus on the final parts of Pastor Doug’s encouraging series “The Spirit Filled Church.”
I. Part 2
A. As we get a passion and a supernatural burden for the next generation, the Spirit of God shows up in our church in a way that we cannot manufacture on our own.
1. What is keeping you from having more passion and a supernatural burden for the next generation? How can you change that?
B. Children are important to Jesus, we should treat them as He does.
1. Mark 10:13-16 - The people brought children to Jesus, hoping he might touch them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus was irate and let them know it: “Don’t push these children away. Don’t ever get between them and me. These children are at the very center of life in the kingdom. Mark this: Unless you accept God’s kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you’ll never get in.” Then, gathering the children up in his arms, he laid his hands of blessing on them.
2. How can we treat our kids more like Jesus does?
II. Part 3
A. The Spirit filled church is a generous church.
1. Acts 2:42-45 - Every believer was faithfully devoted to following the teachings of the apostles. Their hearts were mutually linked to one another, sharing communion and coming together regularly for prayer. A deep sense of holy awe swept over everyone, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. All the believers were in fellowship as one body, and they shared with one another whatever they had. Out of generosity they even sold their assets to distribute the proceeds to those who were in need among them.
2. The power of the Holy Spirit filled them with generosity.
3. Has the Spirit ever filled you with unexpected generosity? How did it feel?
B. God desires our hearts.
1. Jesus talked about money as much as He did because He is after our hearts.
2. Matthew 6:21 - For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
3. Have you ever let money rob you of Jesus? How did you change that?
C. We need to ask for Spiritual gifts so that we can be a blessing and advance His Kingdom.
1. Romans 12:4-8 - For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
2. How have you been able to use your Spiritual gifts to be a blessing and advance His Kingdom?
D. The Spirit filled church is an influencing church.
1. Acts 2:46&47 - Daily they met together in the temple courts and in one
another’s homes to celebrate communion. They shared meals together with
joyful hearts and tender humility. They were continually filled with praises to
God, enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord kept adding to their
number daily those who were coming to life.
2. How can we encourage others in our church to be more spirit filled?
E. God uses available, Spirit filled people.
1. Faithful people get expert result, even though they aren't experts, because they show up for him.
2. We do what we can do, and God does what only He can do.
3. Share a time when God used you because of your availability and openness to His Spirit.
F. We need to be filled with boldness.
1. Acts 4:29-31 - 'So now, Lord, listen to their threats to harm us. Empower us, as your servants, to speak the word of God freely and courageously. Stretch out your hand of power through us to heal, and to move in signs and wonders by the name of your holy Son, Jesus!” As they prayed the earth shook beneath them, causing the building they were in to tremble. Each one of them was filled with the Holy Spirit, and they proclaimed the word of God with unrestrained boldness. '
2. What are things we can do to increase our boldness?
G. Your story has the power to influence.
1. Tell people your Jesus story. People can't argue your experience. Give God glory for everything.
2. A person with an argument will always be at the mercy of a person with a Spirit filled experience.
3. Would anyone like to share what Jesus has done for your story this week?
H. Reflection time.
1. What has God put on your heart since hearing the final parts of Pastor Doug's message, "The Spirit Filled Church?"
This week’s group discussion will focus on the final parts of Pastor Doug’s encouraging series “The Spirit Filled Church.”
I. Part 2
A. As we get a passion and a supernatural burden for the next generation, the Spirit of God shows up in our church in a way that we cannot manufacture on our own.
1. What is keeping you from having more passion and a supernatural burden for the next generation? How can you change that?
B. Children are important to Jesus, we should treat them as He does.
1. Mark 10:13-16 - The people brought children to Jesus, hoping he might touch them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus was irate and let them know it: “Don’t push these children away. Don’t ever get between them and me. These children are at the very center of life in the kingdom. Mark this: Unless you accept God’s kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you’ll never get in.” Then, gathering the children up in his arms, he laid his hands of blessing on them.
2. How can we treat our kids more like Jesus does?
II. Part 3
A. The Spirit filled church is a generous church.
1. Acts 2:42-45 - Every believer was faithfully devoted to following the teachings of the apostles. Their hearts were mutually linked to one another, sharing communion and coming together regularly for prayer. A deep sense of holy awe swept over everyone, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. All the believers were in fellowship as one body, and they shared with one another whatever they had. Out of generosity they even sold their assets to distribute the proceeds to those who were in need among them.
2. The power of the Holy Spirit filled them with generosity.
3. Has the Spirit ever filled you with unexpected generosity? How did it feel?
B. God desires our hearts.
1. Jesus talked about money as much as He did because He is after our hearts.
2. Matthew 6:21 - For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
3. Have you ever let money rob you of Jesus? How did you change that?
C. We need to ask for Spiritual gifts so that we can be a blessing and advance His Kingdom.
1. Romans 12:4-8 - For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
2. How have you been able to use your Spiritual gifts to be a blessing and advance His Kingdom?
D. The Spirit filled church is an influencing church.
1. Acts 2:46&47 - Daily they met together in the temple courts and in one
another’s homes to celebrate communion. They shared meals together with
joyful hearts and tender humility. They were continually filled with praises to
God, enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord kept adding to their
number daily those who were coming to life.
2. How can we encourage others in our church to be more spirit filled?
E. God uses available, Spirit filled people.
1. Faithful people get expert result, even though they aren't experts, because they show up for him.
2. We do what we can do, and God does what only He can do.
3. Share a time when God used you because of your availability and openness to His Spirit.
F. We need to be filled with boldness.
1. Acts 4:29-31 - 'So now, Lord, listen to their threats to harm us. Empower us, as your servants, to speak the word of God freely and courageously. Stretch out your hand of power through us to heal, and to move in signs and wonders by the name of your holy Son, Jesus!” As they prayed the earth shook beneath them, causing the building they were in to tremble. Each one of them was filled with the Holy Spirit, and they proclaimed the word of God with unrestrained boldness. '
2. What are things we can do to increase our boldness?
G. Your story has the power to influence.
1. Tell people your Jesus story. People can't argue your experience. Give God glory for everything.
2. A person with an argument will always be at the mercy of a person with a Spirit filled experience.
3. Would anyone like to share what Jesus has done for your story this week?
H. Reflection time.
1. What has God put on your heart since hearing the final parts of Pastor Doug's message, "The Spirit Filled Church?"